Telephonist

You could take an introductory course like:

• Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Contact Centre Operations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

• funding advice
• search for courses

You could do an intermediate apprenticeship in customer service.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

There are no set requirements for applying directly for jobs, though employers may ask for some GCSEs. Basic computer skills and admin experience can be useful.

Career tips

Temporary work can be a useful way to get started in this career and can lead to permanent jobs.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Your day-to-day tasks will vary with the type of organisation you work for, but may include:

• answering and connecting calls using a computerised switchboard system
• testing lines and reporting faults
• updating directories
• taking and passing on messages
• carrying out basic administration tasks
• working in a team with 'front of house' staff

You could work in a contact centre, in a reception area or in an office.